Atlanta native, Freako Rico, is a symbol of the city’s unrefined elements. His artistic spirit is undoubtedly true-to-self, yet uncanny in its relevancy. His works are as iconic and distinctive as his personality. Freako’s unapologetic nature is something that is refreshing; especially, living amongst the constant smoozing that takes place within any major city. I sat down to talk with Freako at El’Myr to gain some insight into his background and to learn about what motivates him. Continue reading for the full interview below.

How did your passion for art come about?

I mean I was a kid. Honestly, I can’t explain that one. You know what? I’ve been doing art since I was a kid. I’m talking like four. I was addicted to it at a young age, drawing and making shit. I liked drawing stuff and showing people. So that’s been going on since I was a little kid. I wasn’t drawing the stuff, then, and keeping them. I was drawing my family, my pops, my brother and giving it to them. It was on anything, any type of paper. I remember drawing on my dad’s bills. I think he still has a couple of them. Yeah, messing up his shit, but I didn’t know. It was just paper. It was just passion early. It was harvested in grade school because I had some decent teachers that would tell my parents, “yo when he draws it’s different then everyone else.”

https://i1.wp.com/5050skatepark.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/frko-4.jpg?fit=750%2C500500750jasperhttp://5050skatepark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/5050skatepark.pngjasper2016-03-27 15:54:292016-03-27 15:58:05FRKO'S MODERN LIFE INTERVIEW ON PLASMAMAG.COM

What’s Your Story? – Steve Quigley – BMX Rider
#4Steve sits down and talks about how he saves money and got into BMX Riding when his friend dragged him to church and then rode the skatepark in the morning before everyone else got there. This is a really funny one. Please listen and Share with your friends.
Filmed/ Edit by Ed Pollio

Staten Island

There’s only one way to arrive at this borough and that’s on the iconic bright orange Staten Island Ferry, which offers fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty as it sails past.

Staten Island is a peaceful area away from the busy city mainland of New York. Here visitors will find all things from NYC’s history, with museums and historic homes dedicated to preserving the past. That’s not to say that Staten Island is lost in time, in fact the borough is changing rapidly. The entire waterfront is under development and in the coming year there are plans to build a string of hotels, restaurants and outlet malls as well as the globe’s largest observation wheel. These additions are set to modernise traditional Staten Island.

One place already providing 21st century fun is 5050 Skatepark, the only indoor facility where would-be pro skateboarders can practise their moves and check out the competition in the Stapleton neighbourhood. 5050 Skatepark’s Angelica says the area has a lot to offer tourists. “Stapleton is a hub for arts and culture, with many small restaurants, café shops, and bars and an artist gallery,” she explains. If your youngsters are new to alternative sports, the team at 5050 Skatepark offer one-on-one lessons to get them ruling the ramps in no time.

More fun awaits kids at Staten Island Children’s Museum, where creativity and curiosity are nurtured to help children learn about the world around them through a range of interactive activities. The fun and games include a green living room, where your child will discover how Earth-friendly low carbon wind energy works, or dress the part and become a firefighter learning to use all the right gear. The museum is housed in the island’s Snug Harbour Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, a unique venue converted from the first home for retired sailors in the US into a buzzing regional arts centre. Combining creativity with a horticultural mission and a heaving calendar of upcoming events, the attraction has plenty to see and do for those visiting the borough.

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https://i0.wp.com/5050skatepark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/5050_jasper.png?fit=1000%2C130013001000jasperhttp://5050skatepark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/5050skatepark.pngjasper2016-02-28 12:24:042016-02-28 12:24:045050 MORE THAN JUST A SKATEPARK